Staff Hardware Systems Architect

Aurora hires talented people with diverse backgrounds who are ready to help build a transportation ecosystem that will make our roads safer, get crucial goods where they need to go, and make mobility more efficient and accessible for all.

We’re searching for a Staff Hardware Systems Architect to join the Hardware Architecture team. In this role, you will act as a critical force multiplier for the organization, shaping next-generation self-driving vehicle architectures while supporting state-of-the-art systems in the field. This position offers true "cradle-to-grave" ownership—from initial architectural definition through validation and deployment—allowing you to solve highly complex, multi-disciplinary integration problems end-to-end.

In this role, you will

• Decompose high-level product requirements into functional hardware architectures and physical device allocations.
• Act as the technical authority to align Product, SW, HW, and Safety teams by resolving complex trade-offs regarding HW/SW partitioning, thermal constraints, and compute requirements.
• Drive the development and support of Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) infrastructure, systems bring-up, and sustaining support of hardware products.
• Perform deep-dive troubleshooting of complex electromechanical systems, automotive communication networks (e.g., CAN, LIN, Automotive Ethernet), and power distribution systems.
• Develop and maintain test scripts (Python/Bash) to interact with hardware, leveraging LLMs and AI tools to accelerate debugging and process improvements.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional experience, including 5+ years of experience engineering and/or integrating complex automotive, aerospace, or robotic systems.
• BS or MS in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or another relevant engineering field.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively capture and communicate system design intent, generate physical/functional/sequence diagrams, document test findings, and feed results back into the organization.
• In depth knowledge of automotive communication protocols (LIN, CAN and Ethernet) and hands-on experience root-causing vehicle issues based on logged data and structured tests.
• Hands-on experience debugging systems in the field, including the use of associated tooling (Labjacks, Picoscopes, PeakCAN, O-scopes, etc)
• Experience demonstrating the ability to lead investigations around hardware/software integration problems end-to-end while avoiding siloed thinking.
• Strong physics and engineering fundamentals spanning electrical, mechanical, and software systems in order to effectively assess the holistic impacts of architectural designs.

Desirable Qualifications

• Familiarity with functional safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262, SOTIF, or aerospace equivalents) and practical application of tools like DFMEAs, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), and reliability testing.
• Experience utilizing Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools
• Experience using requirements management platforms (e.g., JAMA, DOORS, SysML, or similar frameworks) for hardware architecture and functional decomposition.
• Past experience developing and implementing documentation standards, HW Dev Process deliverables, and running cross-functional architecture review forums.

The base salary range for this position is $181,000-$290,000 per year. Aurora’s pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, the successful candidate’s starting base pay will be determined based on factors including job-related skills, experience, qualifications, relevant education or training, and market conditions. These ranges may be modified in the future. The successful candidate will also be eligible for an annual bonus, equity compensation, and benefits.

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